Fueling the Future: A Leader's Journey in Green Chemistry, Entrepreneurship, and Oil Innovation at CrudeChem Technology
In an illuminating conversation with Biz Tech Outlook, the leader behind CrudeChem Technology shares insights into their journey, pioneering work in green chemistry, and the company’s transformative impact on the oil and gas sector. Discover the vision, strategies, and future plans of the individual recognized as one of the “Best Leaders to Watch in 2024.”
Could you share more about your journey in becoming one of the “Best Leaders to Watch in 2024,” along with the key responsibilities and objectives you’re currently focused on?
My journey through the professional world has been an exploration of chemistry, entrepreneurship, and a deep-seated commitment to making a positive impact. My fascination with chemistry sparked at a young age, as my father’s work in the agricultural industry introduced me to how chemicals influenced the world. Converting unusable molecules into valuable products for industries and consumers particularly intrigued me. This early exposure inspired my academic path.
My entrepreneurial spirit began before university. At 14, I initiated my first entrepreneurial endeavor by tutoring and educating students. This experience provided financial support and allowed me to assist my younger siblings along the way. In my undergraduate and master’s degrees, I delved into deeper realms of chemistry, focusing on catalytic reactions.
I delved into uncharted research areas in my PhD program, selecting an unconventional topic. Despite initial uncertainty, my dedication yielded groundbreaking developments, making my research highly sought after. I aimed to revolutionize catalysis through green chemistry, turning the seemingly unusable into a valuable asset. Transitioning to the United States presented another set of hurdles, requiring me to secure scholarships to facilitate my journey to the University of Reno, Nevada, where I explored catalysis for green chemistry. Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Department of Energy, Starbucks, and Foster Farms, I spearheaded projects to convert waste materials into viable fuels like biodiesel. As a professor, I was frequently invited as a keynote speaker at prestigious conferences, and I achieved recognition for having the most international patents published and being awarded governmental grants.
In 2014, a proposition came from a company in the oil industry in Houston. They recognized the potential for my expertise in green chemistry to revolutionize the oil and gas industry. Despite limited sector knowledge, the challenge to integrate green chemistry into oil and gas processes was intriguing and compelling.
After that conversation, I decided to make a bold leap. One Sunday, I quit my job and began a new entrepreneurial adventure the following day. My garage became the starting point of my largest entrepreneurial endeavor to date. I experimented with product formulations and shared them with clients. Collaborating with industry giants like Saudi Aramco, I developed innovative products and patents. Their positive feedback served as a catalyst, reinforcing my belief in the potential to revolutionize the industry.
To make oil and gas production greener and safer, my company now develops a range of traditional and green products driven by an unwavering commitment to our mission.
What services and products does your company currently offer?
CrudeChem Technology is a leading provider of chemical fluid additives for the oil and gas industry. We specialize in applications such as hydraulic fracturing, coiled tubing, well production, and drilling in major U.S. basins. Our services include not only innovative additives but also on-site technical support and efficient last-mile logistics.
End-to-End Capabilities: We take a holistic approach to oilfield chemical solutions. We design, manufacture, and deliver a wide range of chemicals tailored to the specific needs of our clients.
On-Site Delivery: Our services extend to last-mile logistics, ensuring that the chemicals we’ve designed and manufactured are delivered to the site promptly and efficiently. This reliability minimizes downtime and keeps operations running smoothly.
Field Engineering Support: We understand that correctly applying these chemicals is crucial for optimal performance. That’s why our dedicated field engineering support team is on hand to ensure the chemicals are applied correctly. They monitor the performance and make necessary adjustments, ensuring our solutions consistently meet or exceed client expectations.
Innovative Research and Development: We invest in continuous research and development to create cutting-edge products, enabling us to stay one step ahead of the competition. This commitment to innovation not only enhances our position in the marketplace but also promotes environmental stewardship by developing eco-friendly solutions.
What are your future plans in terms of product and service expansion?
We aim to strike a perfect balance between sustainability, innovation, quality, and growth to shape our future vision.
Sustainable business practices are a top priority for our upcoming growth. Our vision is centered on manufacturing high-quality products that meet customer expectations, minimize waste, preserve resources, and advocate for eco-friendly initiatives. We aim to establish CrudeChem Technology as a globally recognized brand known for innovative solutions across various industries and proactive climate change contributions. We are establishing our supply chain and operational partners globally and are expanding our presence in North America, including Canada and Mexico.
Innovation will propel us forward. We envision a horizon where we harness cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize our products and services in response to evolving market dynamics. Research and development efforts will expand our capabilities to stay at the forefront of industry trends, foster innovation, and uncover new opportunities. We will continue to explore renewable energy sources and implement energy-efficient processes throughout our operations. It is our way of contributing to a greener and healthier planet.
Our dedication to quality has always set us apart, and it remains one of our pillars for the future. Our products are gaining market acceptance, but we are discovering that quality assurance and quality control in the field, as per our current industry standard operating procedures, are virtually non-existent. We are now dedicated to creating our own procedures that enable quality testing in the field, which may set new industry standards.
Being in the crude industry, how do you perceive the evolution of electric vehicles?
The growth of electric vehicles has significant implications for the industry and the broader energy sector. Environmental concerns, government regulations, and consumer demand for greener options will continue to drive innovation and transition in the future.
We recognize the importance of continuing to diversify our energy portfolio and continue to produce cleaner energy sources. We are experts in chemistry and formulation and are well-equipped to create environmentally friendly products across various industries, ensuring the best interests of our business and our valued vendors and customers. This may involve exploring opportunities in renewable energy, biofuels, or other sustainable initiatives to remain relevant in a changing energy landscape. We will adapt and make potential shifts in our business strategy to meet evolving market demands.
Can you explain what is hydraulic fracturing and friction reducers?
Hydraulic fracturing, often referred to as fracking, is a technique used to extract oil and natural gas from deep underground reservoirs. It involves the injection of a high-pressure fluid mixture, typically composed of water, sand, and various additives, into a wellbore. The goal is to create fractures in the rock formations, enabling the release of trapped hydrocarbons. Friction reducers have a significant impact on hydraulic fracturing’s success. They enhance the fluid’s capability to transport proppants, typically sand, deep into the fractures. This is critical for maintaining the fractures’ openness, allowing for increased hydrocarbon recovery.
Friction reducers are indispensable components in hydraulic fracturing operations. These chemical agents are specifically designed to mitigate friction between the fluid and the wellbore, thereby facilitating smoother fluid flow and optimizing the overall efficiency of the fracking process. By reducing friction, they play a pivotal role in lowering the pumping pressure required for fluid injection, resulting in reduced energy consumption and operational costs. They also contribute to the surface equipment’s integrity by diminishing equipment wear and tear.
CrudeChem is positioning itself as a significant supplier of various types of friction reducers for the oil and gas industry, with an emphasis on cost savings and water conservation. our “tough water line” of friction reducers aims to increase the utilization of super high brine water or produced water, resulting in substantial savings in fresh water usage. Furthermore, our friction can help in reducing the high costs associated with pre-treating frac water, as they are compatible with high Iron.
How do you define leadership, and what advice do you have for the younger generation in building leadership skills?
Company Name : CrudeChem Technology
Website : www.crudechem.com
Management Team
Susanta Mohapatra, CEO
Jose Ojeda, President
Miles Grendel, Chief Operating Officer
As a professional, success demands hard work, resilience, and continuous growth. The first piece of advice is never to give up; resilience is your greatest ally. Embrace doubt, setbacks, and challenges, for success often arises from overcoming adversity. Self-belief is your cornerstone for success; trust your abilities and vision, as those will drive your accomplishments. Commit to daily learning in this rapidly evolving industry, embracing new technologies, trends, and best practices. Find a mentor who can guide you and provide valuable insights, as their experience can accelerate your career growth. Expect and accept failure as a detour, not a dead end on your path to success. Mistakes will happen and are opportunities for learning and growth. Learn from them, and don’t make the same mistakes twice. Utilize those learnings when you need to take decisive action. The key is not to eliminate risk entirely but to minimize it through careful planning and informed decisions; my team and I strategize daily.
“CrudeChem Technology is a leading provider of chemical fluid additives for the oil and gas industry.”
“We recognize the importance of continuing to diversify our energy portfolio and continue to produce cleaner energy sources.”
“Self-belief is your cornerstone for success; trust your abilities and vision.”